Derek Wood

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Derek Wood, a Scottish solicitor, was found guilty of professional misconduct for failing to progress a client's (MS) medical negligence claim from 2008 to 2015 and for repeatedly providing false, misleading and dishonest information about the purported progress of non-existent court proceedings. The Tribunal made an express finding of dishonesty. As the Respondent's name was already off the Roll, the Tribunal ordered under s.53(2)(aa) that restoration of his name to the Roll be prohibited, awarded expenses against him, and directed publicity. At a later hearing the Tribunal ordered him to pay the maximum £5,000 compensation to the Secondary Complainer for loss of opportunity, inconvenience and distress, with 8% interest and no expenses.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• Avoid wasting the court's time

Aggravating factors:

• Repeated and elaborate lies told to the client on at least six occasions over a period in excess of two years
• Client's medical negligence claim prescribed (became time-barred) as a result
• Serious risk to the public if he returned to practice

Mitigating factors:

• Early admission of guilt and cooperation from the outset
• No previous disciplinary record over some 35 years in practice
• Background of anxiety and depression (given little weight, no causal connection)
• Paid compensation via SLCC and provided funds to former firm towards the professional indemnity excess